Bransgrove Ends Hampshire Cricket Ties as Group MRC Completes Club Acquisition in 2026

Bransgrove finalizes departure from Hampshire Cricket following Group MRC's full club acquisition in 2026.

Investment and leadership shifts Bransgrove, aged 75, contributed £15 million to Hampshire Cricket during his tenure and led the county’s relocation from its historic Northlands Road ground in Southampton, where it had played for 116 years. He stepped down from his position as Hampshire chair in 2023 but continued in his roles as Group Chairman and majority shareholder of Hampshire Sport & Leisure Holdings Limited. This followed the agreement he helped arrange with GMR Group, co-owners of Delhi Capitals, in 2024 to facilitate the acquisition. ## Valuation and franchise changes In 2025, GMR Group placed a £98 million valuation on Southern Brave, Hampshire’s Hundred franchise, during the ECB’s equity sale process. Kiran Kumar Grandhi, Chairman of GMR Sports, officially took over as group chair from Bransgrove on June 1, 2026. Grandhi was recognized in a club statement as the key figure behind GMR’s expansion into sports, having played a central role in acquiring and managing Delhi Capitals in the IPL. ## Leadership transitions and roles Bransgrove has been named Honorary Life President and will stay on the board as a director and advisor for the next three years. He reflected on his tenure in a press release, stating that this moment marks the end of a deeply meaningful chapter for him. He emphasized that Hampshire Cricket’s success was the result of teamwork, loyal supporters, and partners who shared a common goal. His closing remarks expressed overwhelming gratitude to everyone involved in the club’s journey. ## Grandhi praises former leadership Grandhi acknowledged Bransgrove’s extraordinary leadership and vision, noting that his guidance had turned Hampshire Cricket and the Utilita Bowl into a world-class sporting and leisure destination. He highlighted how Bransgrove fostered a culture rooted in passion, resilience, and community spirit. Grandhi described the legacy as truly special and expressed confidence in the club’s future under GMR’s ownership.